U.S. Army Chooses Leupold Mark 5HD for Sniper Use

by
posted on March 12, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ar-mark5hd_psr-small.jpg
The U.S. Army Precision Sniper Rifle program has selected the Leupold & Stevens Mark 5HD riflescope for its day optic. The scope will be issued on the USSOCOM selected MK22 Mod 0 based on the Barret Multi-Role Adaptive Design bolt-action, multi-caliber system chambered in 7.62 NATO, .300 Norma Mag., and .338 Norma Mag.  

Unlike the black color scheme available to civilian enthusiasts, the U.S. Army Mark 5HD 5-25x56 mm will come in a proprietary flat-dark-earth coating. It will also feature the Mil-Grid Reticle patented by that military branch.  

“The Mark 5HD has been built from the ground up to deliver the unparalleled performance that the men and women serving our country overseas require," said Sam Horstman, director of military sales for Leupold. “And, like all of our optics, the Mark 5HD has been strenuously tested for durability, and fully meets the extremely high standards that the military demands. Our Soldiers need their optics to perform, and we’re glad to be able to offer a solution that’s built to deliver on those expectations.”

The 5HD 5-25x56 mm weighs only 30 ozs., significantly lighter than many other riflescopes in its class. Overall length is 15.67". It’s adjustable for 120 MOA (34.9 mils) in elevation and 60 MOA (17.5 mils) in windage. It’s waterproof, fogproof and features Leupold’s single-turn CDS-ZL dial.

Three models of the Mark 5HD are available in milliradian and MOA configurations for civilian enthusiasts—a 3.6-18x44 mm, 5-25x56 mm and 7-35x56 mm. American Rifleman Assistant Editor David Herman got behind the latter in August 2019. “Durable and consistent, this is a scope for those looking to push the bounds of their rifle with the confidence that, should they miss, it’s not the optic that is letting them down,” he wrote.”

Leupold proudly provides its optics to the United States military, law-enforcement and government agencies across the country, and to the armed forces of many of our nation’s closest allies. No American optics company has held more U.S. military contracts than Leupold.

Latest

Women outside with rifle on rest
Women outside with rifle on rest

Three Hidden Joys of the Rifle

There is a particular jolt of joy when a shooter nestles behind a perfectly stable rifle and puts the ideal bullet exactly where intended.

New For 2026: Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE

The new Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE is not only the latest in the company's series of AR-style rifles, it marks the first S&W rifle to be chambered for the .300 Blackout cartridge.

The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Skills Check: The Meltdown Drill

Our drill this month trains you to acquire a multi-round-durable grip from the start and continually pressure-test it under time and transition stress, holding you to an all-clean-hits standard.

EAA Corp. Acquires Manufacturing Facility in Tennessee

European American Armory’s recent acquisition of a large manufacturing facility in Mountain City, Tenn., is further evidence that the firearm importer plans to establish a domestic manufacturing presence.

Short & Classic: Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine SBR

While many short-barreled rifles available today are based on the latest designs, there are a few classic models in the mix, too, such as Auto-Ordnance's M1 Carbine SBR.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.